Shift kit?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
Likes: 66
From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
Shift kit?
Anyone put a shift kit in their a4 when it was rebuilt, mine is in the process of the rebuild and am wondering if it would be a good idea, heard the shift is firm and not sure if I would like it.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
I have a stage 2 shift kit in my C4. I can very easily chirp the tires from 1-2. 1-2 shift is quite hard. Good for racing, but you might get tired of it for street use. I give all of my passengers "the disclaimer" before they get in. 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 62
From: New Madison Ohio
When I had my transmission serviced I went ahead and had them put in a shift kit. The first test drive the guy said was way to hard on the shift points so he changed it to what it presently has. It has a firm shift, but not to bad, actually I like the way it shifts now and is more enjoyable to drive I think, maybe because it will chirp the tires between 1-2 shift...and that's with the crossfire motor..
I say if your thinking about I would do it. I don't regret it all...
I say if your thinking about I would do it. I don't regret it all...
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
BINGO, Spot on. I wish I had not put mine in.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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Shift pattern and rpm remain the same. In some cases, a shift kit will reuire a bigger boost valve, and that could affect the shift rpm, increasing it slightly. If that were to occur, it would be minor, and likely better. L98's, and LT1's have somewhat low shift points from the factory.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
I bought on e for this car too, I just have not installed it yet.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
This is true. Most auto transmissions have a certain amount of overlap between gears, which makes for a smoother shift. While this is more comfortable, it also wears the transmission down quicker. A shift kit decreases the amount of overlap, so the shift is much more direct and sharp. While this can be less comfortable for daily use, there is less wear on the tranny and it helps with quicker 1/4 mile times.
My C4 is mildly modded(mild cam, aluminum heads, headers, straight pipes) and still has the Ceasefire injection, but accelerates to 100km/h in about 5.5s with the stage 2 shift kit. It'd go even faster with the stage 3, but I think those are manually shifted and even more hard and direct. I'd say the stage 2 is a good choice, but if you're worried your wife/girlfriend/SO will complain about the hard shift, maybe a stage 1 is best.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
While the low rev , light throttle 1-2 shift is a bit rough in D , heavy throttle in D gives instant and smooth shifts.
In 1 and 2 I can manually shift up or down like a stick ( or downshift from D or O/d ) within the limitations of the engine
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
I have full manual in the gears and auto in D.
While the low rev , light throttle 1-2 shift is a bit rough in D , heavy throttle in D gives instant and smooth shifts.
In 1 and 2 I can manually shift up or down like a stick ( or downshift from D or O/d ) within the limitations of the engine
While the low rev , light throttle 1-2 shift is a bit rough in D , heavy throttle in D gives instant and smooth shifts.
In 1 and 2 I can manually shift up or down like a stick ( or downshift from D or O/d ) within the limitations of the engine
I would like the most aggressive possible. I have looked in to transgo stage kits, but I have never experienced them to know how much different they are from B&M.
Thanks
